Munchkins

Grandchildren are wondrous little blessings. When they look at you for the first time it's supernatural. I remember holding my little grandson when he was first born. I whispered love words and sang love songs to him. I got to be with him for his first week. His mama was recovering from a spinal block and needed extra help. He was so sweet and quiet, and he reached into my heart and tied our lives together forever. He so reminded me of the days when my daughter was born. Both were born with bilateral cleft lips and palates. Looking at him was like looking into my own past. All the feelings of fear, trepidation and worry came flooding back. I could see much of his future looking into his eyes. I knew he would have multiple surgeries. I knew his mom would have to face many challenges and overcome the memories of her childhood. I also knew that God would walk them both through whatever would come their way.

When our granddaughter was born I was much too far away to be able to hold her, but I was tied to her just as strongly as I was to our grandson. Having lost children, I have a strange connection to any child born on the planet. I can love strongly whether by blood or complete strangers. I've been to the other side of the world loving children in orphanages and God put that special kind of love in me. It surely isn't a natural thing. I have friends who can barely stand their own children, let alone strangers. So the moment I was able to touch my little Tzipporah (we call her Zippy) she was tied to my heart as strongly as  the bible's "triple braided cord".

In fourteen days our summer adventure with our grandkids begins (God willing). We have many fun surprises in store. They have ideas of what's going to happen, but I'm sure they will be surprised at a lot of what we're going to do. The main thing is that we are going to do some marathon loving. We are going to squeeze love into every waking and sleeping moment they are with us. We will love them when they are good, love them when they are bad, love them when they act like children of God and love them when they act otherwise. We are good at loving and we look forward to this special opportunity that God has blessed us with.

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights! The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and He adds no sorrow with it. Children are a blessing from the Lord! We are so excited and thankful for this time and we will be good stewards over these precious gifts from above.

Thanks to our son in love and daughter for sharing them with us.

National Scrapbook Day Projects

The NSD Gang 2011

I really had a great time in Roswell last week. It's hard to believe that a week has passed since I was at "Imagine That's" NSD Fiesta 2011. There were about 35 of us there and I know we all came away with some neat projects and great memories. My Minds Eye sent KC, Jason and Nick to help us with all the great projects.

My sweet friend Gloria went with me and we had fun sharing stories with a few of the gals, messing with the guys and creating and crafting. Of course we had fun shopping too. We discovered a new Asian restaurant (Yummo) and did way too much laughing and talking and way too little sleeping. Isn't that what girls do?

Glo and I create together.

Dene and Krista welcomed us with open arms. Of course the store is so much fun. I just took a trip to HL and told hubby. "If Imagine That had been in Roswell when we lived there you would never have convinced me to move to Texas." Every store pales in comparison. So it's back to the Internet to look for more MME products. I love their "Lush" series albums and papers. The velvet flocking comes in several colors. We used the turquoise and orange ones and the album is one of my new favorites. I will be looking for others.

Our four greeting cards. 

I've fallen in love with "My Minds Eye" goodies. KC, Jason and Nick brought kits from MME and we put together some really awesome projects. We did a two page layout Friday. We did four greeting cards Saturday morning, a mini album (my FAV) and three canvasses. I didn't much like the canvas project, so I did my own thing. They turned out so neat I asked KC for a spare sheet of the Stella Rose "So Sweet" paper so I could do a fourth canvas back at home.

I look forward to attending again next year and will put my reservation in early so I don't get bumped from the rolls. What a blast.

Lush 2 Album

On of the best things about this event was the freedom to "do your own thing". The guys from MME are all salesmen, so though they had great projects that were completely ready for us to follow the very clear instructions, they gave us the go ahead to create and make the projects our own. I don't like having my projects look like everyone elses so I really appreciated the freedom. 

Stella and Rose canvases

If you get an opportunity to travel through Roswell, NM do not hesitate to see if the store is open. You will be overwhelmed at all the projects, but don't worry, you'll get over it. Make sure and take a list of things you're looking for and ask one of the gals if they have it. Chances are good they do and they will be able to show you right where it's at. The store is the largest in North America and you will definitely have fun perusing the aisles. I know I do and my hubby travels through twice a month and fills my "want" list and then some.

R & R

I'm laying back on my girlfriend's little sofa bed doing absolutely nothing. When I arrived in town I stopped at Big Lots and found a bunch of scrapbook treasures. I also found the perfect card to thank my girlfriend for her hospitality. On its front it said, "you are fabulous". On the inside it said, "in case you forget read it again"!

After I made my way to her home we headed to "Peppers" and had a nice quiet lunch. Glo had fettucine Alfredo with sauteed veggies. I had a taco salad. Yummo and yawno. Nappy time. So I'm reclining on her sofa while she runs errands. Gotta love her and R & R.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

God; the Ultimate Recycler Celebrated on Earth Day

Today has significance to many people. To those who are conscious of the mess our environment is in it is "Earth Day". To children all over the U. S. it's a day off from school. To those working in government jobs and in banks it's a day off from work. To those who worship God through the grace in His Son Yahowshua (Jesus) it is the day we remember he was crucified. Some call it "Good Friday". It probably didn't seem so good to the Lord at the time, but for the very reason that he came to rescue a world in trouble it was very good. He rescued all who would trust in him.

Those of us who believe the Holy Bible is the inspired word of God written on paper, know that the condition the world is in (environmentally speaking) is not a surprise. God put restrictions on how bad it could get and promised to even adjust or speed up time so all flesh wouldn't be destroyed! But He thought of everything and knew what we have today was coming.

I am all for being good stewards of the planet and the resources we have been given. God calls us to do just that. He will ask of us when we stand before Him what we have done with what He has given us. There will be an accounting done when this age is up. We all have waste in our lives. The Lord was so farsighted He even planned for decay (flies, buzzards, pigs and the like) and refuse (see dung gate in your bibles). He saw the end from the beginning!

We don't get off just because this planet is going to be purged with fire and remade, but that alone should bring us peace when we can't seem to get the ears of selfish and wasteful people.

God is the original recycler. He will remake heaven and earth. He takes the corruptible and puts on it incorruptibility! He has an awesome plan to reuse, renew and recycle everything! He reuses those who have been thrown away. He renews the minds of those who seek His will. He will ultimately recycle everything we see, smell, taste, feel or hear! The earth is truly the Lord's and the fullness thereof! Just ask Him.

Selah (chew on that in Hebrew)!

Simple Things

I am enjoying a quiet morning here at my little corner desk. I can hear my three baby ducklings out in their new yard. I hear birds talking back and forth to one another. I hear the distant buzz of a foreign car starting its engine and driving off. And I hear my refrigerator humming through its cycles.

I find it odd that these things help me stay calm and focused in such trying times. The world is a scary place most of the time. I know at every time and place in my life there have been things that could overwhelm my soul IF I allowed them. I'm glad I have the truth of God's word to center my soul. "He will keep him (or her) in perfect peace if his mind is stayed on Him (God).

The wonder of God and His handiwork is normally seen in nature and its beauty and awe. God spoke and created everything we see, smell, hear, taste and feel. He placed him in a garden and gave him dominion over all the work of His hands. Then man screwed it up and sold out to the complexity of being in charge. We like being in charge, but how can one who is so limited in scope (in himself) be in charge of anything? Adam clearly was clueless after separated from God. He hid behind leaves and in the dark. He turned into an accuser when he had been the son of God.

So here I am, quiet, alone and glad that I have made God through His Son, the God of my world. He is God of the universe, but only if trusted will He get into the affairs of men. He gives us authority, but using it takes some real divine guidance and intervention when used improperly.

I rejoice today knowing that this whole mess we live in can only go so far. God won't allow us to self destruct. He has set limits and boundaries and can even speed up time if needs be! I'm sure glad I can focus on the simpler things of everyday living knowing that really my focus is on God; on my Father. He is God and He's the best one for the job. He's a good Father and He gives good gifts.

Selah (rest and meditate)

Tuesday Morning

It's weird to entitle a page "Tuesday Morning" as in our part of the world "Tuesday Morning"is a store, but it is indeed Tuesday morning for just a few more moments. I'm knocking off the items on my "to do" list and thought I'd take a rabbit trail and blog. I've updated my blog settings and am using a newer editor. I don't like changes, but force myself to take them so I don't grow stagnant.

I'm reading a great book, "The Sacred Ordinary" and enjoying it so much.  A young single Christian woman, Leigh McLeroy wrote it and also has a blog that she updates each Wednesday. I look forward to reading tomorrow's submission. Her book and blog are all about finding the sacred in everyday living. She has a great way of sharing her vision of sacred in the simple and mundane things of life. Her blog is great: http://www.wednesdaywords.com/ and I love to share it wherever I go.

I'm also reading an entertaining but strange book, "The Lady in the Palazzo" by Marlena De Blasi. The woman is a chef, married to an Italian man, and recounts her life in Italy. I'm taking the book really slow. First because it's not a simple read. I hate missing wonderful details because I rush through, so I read a chapter when I can and then even reread chapters when I especially love them. The book is about adjusting oneself to another cultural way of living rather than demanding an entire ancient culture adapt to you. I look forward to finding her other books and reading them as well.

I found both the books I'm reading at dollar stores. I love it when I find good books at great discounts. I suggest if you read this and are interested in finding the same books for a good price you look at Amazon.com or alibris.com.

I also thought I'd share two pictures of my baby animals. First a picture of my ducklings just after we bought them. They are presently twice as big! The second picture is of our newest female kid. Her name is "Flicker" because she moves around the pen like a firefly! I love the white blaze on her forehead.

Ducky Delights

My little duckling gals got to swim in one of my washtubs today. They were so totally freaked out. First because I had the washtub sitting on some pavers hubby had put down in front of the wash house, second because the swimming thing was new and third my drakes decided to attack them while they adjusted to the water. My hands bear the defensive marks from trying to keep my babies safe. "Hey boys, you're attacking your future wives. It's not going to sit well with the girls."

It is my evidence based opinion that ducks are really pigs in down covered costumes. My ducklings are so messy I have to completely strip and clean their huge tub twice a day. They love to mess in water and their food. I have three towels that are no longer fit for human use that have been relegated to the duck gals. Penelope, Petunia and Prudence (all pig names on purpose) have laid claim to the towels as their personal "sopping up messes on the bottom of our bedroom" towels. They are stained from their food and little poopies.

They have almost doubled in size since I bought them. They are still covered with little bitty downy feathers. Today they looked sort of bald when they were through with their swim. I dried them as much as they would allow and then dad put them back in their tub with the heat lamp focused down on their backs. They methodically preened and dried themselves by separating each little slender feathery piece on their bodies. It was as if they had done it a thousand times. Instinct is an amazing thing.

I know tomorrow will be less traumatic for them and eventually they will join the drakes in a large child's swimming pool in our back yard. My hope is to put in a permanent pond for my ducks, but for now a kiddy pool will have to do.

Water fowl are amazing animals. They always give humans a side long glance because they see us better that way. Their eyes are on either sides of their faces, so for comfort's sake they turn to look at us.

Mine are learning my voice. After the drake attack I noticed they were calmed when I spoke. Eventually they were completely calm, so calm in fact they had a blast diving in the water and then scratching their heads with their webbed feet. I'm thinking they were uncomfortable having water in their little hidden ears.

I know tomorrow will be a nice warm day and swimming will be on the duckling girls' agenda. I will do my best to upload the pictures hubby took of the girls. Perhaps we'll get some video of them tomorrow to add.

Bottoms up! (That's a duck thing in case you didn't know it.)